students alongside customers to do their shopping

Operation NR

Chantal hesitated. Then ended up accepting. “At first, I said no because I told myself that I wasn’t old enough to benefit from it”laughs this customer from the Intermarché de Veigné. Since January 3, 2025, the store has partnered with the company Mains d’argent to “offer a free service to our customers. Every Friday morning, two students are shopping companions for people, elderly or not, who need help or companionship while shopping.specifies Mickaël Meunier, director of the site for eleven years.

The Veigné store is the first in Indre-et-Loire to enter into a partnership, for one year for the moment, with Mains d'argent. But there are already twenty-four others across the country. “We recruited five students specifically for this store. They must be comfortable with people, sociable and extroverted”summarizes Héloïse Lamotte, who launched her company in 2022.

“People came every day because no one was checking in”

At the entrance to the store that day, Emma and Adèle scan the customers who might need them. At the entrance or among the fruits and vegetables, they try their luck. After a few polite refusals, Adèle ends up convincing Philippe. The old man and the student then stroll through the aisles, talking about everything and nothing. “It feels good to go shopping together. Maybe I'll do it again next time.”he slips into a smile amidst the fruit juice.

The store decided to offer this service to its customers based on an observation. “Elderly people who come to do their shopping on Saturdays at 11 a.m. are not to bother those who work but to see people. They need it. We have customers who come in the morning for lunch and return in the afternoon for dinner.notes Mickaël Meunier. We realized this clearly during confinement. People came every day because no one was checking in on them. »

A company appreciated by those interested

For the first two Fridays of the presence of fellow shoppers in Veigné, around ten customers were tempted each time. On January 17, Adèle and Emma also visited the stores. “It’s nice. Usually, I do my shopping alone and now, being with Emma, ​​we go slower. We discuss. I will do it again with pleasure »testifies Chantal after purchasing scallops.

A regular customer of the Intermarché de Veigné, Annie also benefited from Emma's company during her shopping. “We talked, she helped me read prices because I didn't have my glasses, she appreciates. She was a bit like my eyes. I think that when you have the time like I do, it's very good. If you are in a hurry, however, it is less suitable. »

With this system, the store hopes to differentiate itself from larger stores in the sector, by “offering a local anchor”continues Mickaël Meunier. “People have to get used to it. The Tourangeau is friendly but a little wild. You shouldn't rush him. The service is still little known. The objective is also to make it known to distant relatives of customers so that they can encourage them to benefit from it.”he adds.